Lola Colt @ The Bodega, 27/02/2015

So I’ll set the scene; a faint mutter teases the air as the audience’s anticipation grows gradually, the pungent scent of a warming pint and aged leather lingers. I’m but a mere new member of this evidently elite group. “What do I expect from this?” I repeat over and over in my mind. A spiral of wonderful hypnotic rays of light projects onto the blank canvas that shadows the stage – I watch as it draws me closer, it lures me into it’s addictive clutch. I gaze as one avid fan warms his hands and straightens his shirt, seemingly attempting to impress the forthcoming band. “I’m in for a treat tonight” – and boy was I right.

Collectively, Lola Colt command the crowd as if they were born and raised on stage. It was like something straight out of a Clint Eastwood feature – the physical prowess of Danish vocalist Gun Overbye captures you from the moment the first line leaves her lips and you’re not let go until the words ‘Thank you, Nottingham’ have echoed their last echo. I can’t work out whether it’s the intensity of keyboardist and percussionist Kitty Arabella Austen as she jerks her body to the marching chant of ‘Time To Burn’ that captivated every eye in the room, or perhaps it’s the erratic way in which guitarist Matt Loft came within inches of surrounding band members that leaves you lusting for more. I wouldn’t go as far as to describe their sound as haunting, but when you get chills after each song rings out, your personality splits in two. On the one hand, fan favourites ‘I Get High if You Get High’ and ‘Vacant Hearts’ transport you into a kaleidoscopic paradise of ecstasy and euphoria, yet the darker and more mysterious performance of ‘Heartbreaker’ could inspire a political revolution or send an army to war. What cannot be disputed however is the spellbinding atmosphere that overwhelms the room as each member plays their instrument; as each chord is strummed, as each drum is hit, as each key is pressed, every person in that room knows that an incredible amount of talent is behind the enchanting noise. A unanimous sigh settled on the breath of everyone in that room as closing track ‘Away from the Water’ resonated out.

Off the back of their 2014 release, ‘Away from the Water’, this tour was hyped to be the game-changer, the rule-breaker and the last man standing in a Mexican stand off. Without a shadow of a doubt, I can confirm that they did not disappoint. Lola Colt are a brute force that is taking the music industry by storm, and if you’re moronic enough to stand in their way, expect to be left a shadow of your former self. I attended the gig a sceptical member of the public – I left the gig an overwhelmed, converted fan. Lola Colt will continue for many years to come, do you know why? Because they’ve earned it. Uniqueness doesn’t come any more distinct and special than these guys, trust me. Lola Colt, as the psychedelic image suggests, is everyone’s legal high – and I’m hooked and looking for my next fix.

Speaking with Gun and Matt after the show, I managed to get an idea of what to expect from these guys in the future:

Luke: Are you used to bigger venues or do you like the more intimate gigs such as this one?Matt: “We like both small and big, it’s varied really. Both have their differences, but bigger would be nice!”

Luke: What can we expect from you in the future? Any festivals coming over Summer? Gun: “Erm, I’m not sure we can reveal anything but expect some announcements soon, for both the UK and Europe”

Luke: Are you heavily involved with the bands image? There’s a psychedelic theme running through everything, does the music help this or does this help write the music?Matt: “The music definitely makes it. I’d say it definitely reflects being in a tripped out moment, but yeah the music always comes first. In hindsight, I guess you always have to write the music first and then the image will come later.”

Lola Colt’s new single ‘Heartbreaker’ is released today, check it out here: